First International Congress on Oral Cancer, Smokeless Tobacco and Areca Nut, ICOC - 2014 will be held from 8th - 9th August at the Earl's Regency Hotel in Kandy. This is the first conference of this nature to be organized in Sri Lanka.

Oral cancer is the commonest cancer among Sri Lankan males and the main etiological factors have been identified as smokeless tobacco and areca nut in the traditional betel quid. It is one of the most prevalent causes of morbidity and mortality in the region of South and South East Asia.

The conference aims to improve the scientific knowledge on current developments in the region as well as the world among the clinicians and relevant stake holders in oral cancer management and to improve the future research in the area.

The conference will bring together a group of internationally renowned speakers to address on current approaches in the management of oral cancer and issues in relation to smokeless tobacco and areca nut with the hope of motivating health professionals and policy makers to initiate and plan new legislations to reduce the use of these two substances.

The conference is organized by the Centre for Research in Oral cancer, Faculty of Dental Sciences of Peradeniya University, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and National Cancer Control Programme. (ST/KH)